December 10, 2020

Seamanship and the need for basic seamanship skills

Although there are many natural hazards that confront man on land, being a land-based creature, his natural instincts allow him to cope with them most of the time. At sea the situation is different. It is not man’s natural habitat or environment and he has to learn new skills in […]
December 10, 2020

Layout of a typical ship and nautical terms

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/505581962″][vc_column_text]The Hull. This is the main part of the ship. It is divided into three sections, namely the fore part, the midships part and the after part. The fore part ends in the stem, which is the leading edge of the hull. The after part ends in the stern, […]
December 10, 2020

Miscellaneous ship terms

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/505374140″][vc_column_text] Miscellaneous ship terms. The following are nautical terms used for various ship’s fittings and structures: Deck head. This is a ceiling in a ship. Bulkhead. This is a wall in a ship. Hatch. This is an opening in a deck to allow vertical access between decks. These can […]
December 11, 2020

Nautical terms for shore facilities/construction

Dry dock (graving dock). This is an excavation faced with solid masonry which is connected with a harbour, river or basin. The entrance is closed with a sliding caisson, a floating caisson or dock gates. Water is admitted through special valves until the level of the water in the dock […]
December 11, 2020

Ship’s construction – materials

Water-borne vessels are constructed of various materials, ie steel, aluminium, wood, glass reinforced plastics (GRP). Steel is used for large vessels. Aluminium is used for very small craft and for on-board structures, ie minor bulkheads, deck houses, guardrail and awning stanchions, non-watertight doors and furniture. Wood is used for pleasure […]